Trump calls Xi, Han Zheng schmoozes in Washington
US-China relations under Trump 2.0 are off to a cracking start.
- No, really!
On Friday, Xi Jinping held a call with US President-elect Donald Trump.
- It was their first official call since Trump’s re-election, though the pair have reportedly been backchanneling for some time.
According to the Chinese readout, Xi told Trump that (MoFA):
- “Both great countries…are pursuing their own dreams and committed to providing a better life for their people.”
- “The key is to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, and find appropriate solutions to the problems.”
On his Truth Social account, Trump described the call as a “very good one,” which touched on “Trade, Fentanyl, TikTok, and many other subjects.”
- “It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately.”
Check this: According to insider sources, Trump told his advisors he wants to travel to China within the first 100 days of his presidency (WSJ).
Meanwhile, Vice President Han Zheng met with US Vice President-elect J.D. Vance in Washington on Sunday to discuss “fentanyl, balancing trade and regional stability.”
- Han also reportedly met with Tesla boss and Trump confidant Elon Musk and welcomed US companies to invest in China.
Get smart: Under Trump 2.0, nothing is off the table for US-China relations, and these early signs are very promising.
- Personal rapport between Chinese leaders and Trump’s team will be crucial to stabilizing bilateral ties.
Our question: Will good vibes and great conversations be enough to paper over Trump’s many gripes about China’s trade practices?